What kinds of mental health professional are there?
It can be difficult to know exactly what professional will best suit you and what the different professions actually do. There is a lot of overlap in what mental health professionals offer, and in how therapy is offered, but finding the right type of professional, alongside the right person, is important. By being informed you can make the right choice for you. You can also filter therapists based on your preferences using the Helpspace anonymous questionnaire, which is available here.
Counsellor or Psychotherapist
The term psychotherapist and counsellor are often used interchangeably. Both refer to professionals who offer talking therapy to people experiencing emotional difficulties in their lives.
Someone offering this form of therapy may call themselves Counsellors, Psychotherapeutic Counsellors, or Psychotherapists.
Originally psychotherapists offered psychoanalytical therapy and counsellors offered humanistic therapy, and this is how some professionals still use these terms. However, many counsellors training in Humanistic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy now have an in-depth training as psychotherapists, which was not the case in the past, so the terms are used interchangeably.
Counsellors or psychotherapists can work with any emotional issue, however you should check that your therapist has experience and relevant training in the main themes for which you are seeking counselling.
To be qualified counsellors and psychotherspists should possess a minimum of one of the following:
- B.Sc. or B.A. in Counselling and/or Psychotherapy
- Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling
- M.Sc or M.A. in Counselling and/or Psychotherapy
- Clinical PhD in Counselling and/or Psychotherapy
On the Helpspace platform, all practitioners are pre-screened for necessary qualifications, membership of a professional body, and professional indemnity insurance. Learn more about how Helpspace therapists are verified here.
Psychologist
Psychology is the study of human behaviour, thought and emotion. In order to be a Counselling Psychologist the professional needs to have:
- a degree in Psychology
- and a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology
Counselling psychologists will have extensive theoretical knowledge of a range of mental health conditions and issues due to the length of their training. They work with the same issues as psychotherapists and counsellors, but may be more familiar with psychiatric diagnosis. A psychotherapist or counsellor will likely be more involved in the process of therapy rather than the diagnosis.
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Many types of psychologist have titles which are protected titles in the UK, meaning only those who have relevant qualifications can legally use the title. For people looking to work with a psychologist as a therapist it is important to know that the following titles are protected:
- Counselling Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Registered Psychologist
- Practitioner Psychologist
Delivery
Whether a practitioner is labelled as a counsellor, therapist, counselling psychologist, or otherwise, many professionals will deliver their services both face-to-face and online. Some practitioners prefer in-person sessions, while others offer a blended model. Still others work primarily online.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in psychiatry - the medical field of mental health.
Psychiatrists in the UK focus on diagnosing mental health conditions, advising people on how to manage mental health conditions, and prescribing medication to manage mental health conditions.
To be qualified as a psychiatrist the practitioner should have a general medical degree, and a specialism in psychiatry after they finish their junior doctor training.
For more information about the types of practitioners available, and what they have to offer, check out the Helpspace blog.